Newb here has some performance questions

[blazin82]

First post here guys. So i just picked a super clean 82 2wd blazer. It has all 98 model tahoe interior and drivetrain. BONE STOCK unfortunately. So what can be done to this fuel injected 350 to bump the horsepower? I know full exhaust for sure will be my first thing. Long tubes with a free flowing muffler. I know a k&n will help a little. Its gonna be a cruiser/DD to work so im not looking to build a drag truck here, just looking for some tricks that work. Any help is appreciated, I dont know much about these motors

[Jason S]

Welcome to the site.

From the factory, the Vortec 350's (in my opinion) were pretty stout engines in stock form.  You have a '98 model drivetrain, so if it is bone stock and never reconditioned, you could just need to address issues with the factory systems first.

To get a baseline for your question, is the engine a stock '98 Vortec 350 w/the vortec heads,  fuel injection, etc?  Do you know the condition of the engine (compression on all cylinders & difference in compression between cylinders), ignition system condition & fuel system (pump, injectors)?   

As far as upgrades do you want top end power or bottom end torque?  Torque is what gets you moving.

A few performance oriented upgrades that do not require pulling apart the engine:  Headers, free flowing exhaust and a performance chip.

[blazin82]

As far as the heads Im not even sure how to tell if they are vortec to be honest. I can only assume, because everything else is 98 tahoe. fuel injection, 4l60e. Im guessing it all came out of a wrecked low miles tahoe. The motor only has roughly 80k on it. As far as power i just want more!! top end and bottom end.

[Fairlane514]

One clue is center bolt valve covers. The second is to remove a valve cover and find the casting number, it should end with either 906 or 062, if that's the case, you have vortec heads.

[blazin82]

So what your sayin is if it has center bolt valve covers then they are vortex heads?

Also is there a chip or programmer that makes these vortex 5.7s respond better than others?

[Fairlane514]

Center bolt is not necessarily vortec, but it is one indicator. The casting number will verify it. You do have a roller camshaft and you can re-use the lifters if you want to change the cam. There are seem nice upgrade computer friendly cams that will wake up the motor. Just chipping the computer will also help, but I can't suggest any particular one.